Georgia Car Sales Tax Calculator
Determine exact Georgia motor vehicle sales tax, official DMV title and license fees (TTL), and dealer documentation fee caps under O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1 (Title Ad Valorem Tax).
Vehicle & Tax Parameters
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Worked Scenario: Buying a $30,000 Vehicle in Georgia with Rebate
Here is how the numbers break down when purchasing a $30,000 car with a $5,000 trade-in allowance and a $3,000 manufacturer rebate in Georgia:
| Line Item | Calculation Rule | Amount ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Agreed Price | Base vehicle purchase price | $30,000.00 |
| Less Trade-In Allowance | Deducted from vehicle equity (O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1) | -$5,000.00 |
| Less Manufacturer Rebate | Exempt pre-tax deduction under O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1(a)(1)(D) | -$3,000.00 |
| Taxable TAVT Amount | Price minus trade-in minus rebate ($30,000 - $5,000 - $3,000) | $22,000.00 |
| Georgia TAVT (7.00%) | $22,000.00 × 7.00% | $1,540.00 |
| Dealer Documentation Fee | No statutory cap; dealer documentation charges in Georgia | $695.00 |
| DMV Title & Registration | Official state titling and plate fee | $38.00 |
| Total Out-the-Door Due | Net balance + tax + fees ($22,000 + $1,540 + $695 + $38) | $24,273.00 |
Georgia Motor Vehicle Tax Laws & Regulations
When purchasing a car in Georgia, understanding how your state assesses tax and regulates dealer fees ensures you never overpay at the dealership signing table. Primary legal authority is codified under O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1 (Title Ad Valorem Tax).
1. Sales Tax Assessment & Surtaxes
Under O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1 (Title Ad Valorem Tax), Georgia levies a 7.0% Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) upon vehicle titling. Under O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1(a)(1)(D), manufacturer rebates on new vehicles directly reduce the taxable TAVT base. Vehicles subject to TAVT are exempt from annual ad valorem property taxes and general sales tax.
2. Trade-In Tax Deduction Rules
Dealer trade-in deduction permitted under O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1. Trade-in value reduces the taxable vehicle assessment; private party trade-ins receive no deduction.
3. Dealer Documentation Fees & Ceilings
No statutory cap; dealer documentation charges in Georgia average $595 to $795 and are subject to the 7.0% TAVT. Learn how this compares with other jurisdictions in our complete Dealer Doc Fees by State Directory.
Local DMV & County Fee Variations in Georgia
While state tax rates provide the baseline, local county surtaxes and DMV plate fees vary across Georgia jurisdictions:
| County / Metropolitan Area | Combined Vehicle Tax Rate | DMV Plate & Title Fee | Typical Dealer Doc Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton County (Atlanta) | 7.00% TAVT statewide | $20 annual tag fee | $650-$795 |
| Gwinnett County (Lawrenceville) | 7.00% TAVT statewide | $20 annual tag fee | $595-$750 |
| Cobb County (Marietta) | 7.00% TAVT statewide | $20 annual tag fee | $595-$750 |
| DeKalb County (Decatur) | 7.00% TAVT statewide | $20 annual tag fee | $650-$795 |
| Chatham County (Savannah) | 7.00% TAVT statewide | $20 annual tag fee | $550-$695 |
| Cherokee County (Canton) | 7.00% TAVT statewide | $20 annual tag fee | $550-$695 |
Cross-Border & Private-Party Buying Rules
If you purchase a vehicle from an out-of-state dealership, you pay motor vehicle sales tax to Georgia when titling the car in your home jurisdiction. Read our transactional guide on buying a car out of state to avoid paying duplicate sales tax.
For private-party transactions between individual buyers and sellers, review our guide on private party vs. dealer vehicle sales tax to understand state valuation rules and required bill of sale documentation.
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Compare statutory rates across all 50 states or recalculate with custom dealer parameters: